Find out how popular the last name Zeldin is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Zeldin.

Zeldin, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Zeldin surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zeldin in America

Zeldin is the 51512th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zeldin surname appeared 404 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Zeldin.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zeldin to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name Zeldin

The surname Zeldin appears to have Eastern European origins, specifically rooted in the Ashkenazi Jewish communities of Poland, Ukraine, and Russia. It is believed to have originated sometime in the late medieval period, around the 15th or 16th century. The name is likely derived from the Yiddish or German word "zelt," which means "tent" or "awning," possibly referring to someone who made or sold tents.

Zeldin also bears resemblance to the Slavic word "zelda," which translates to "green" and could have signified someone who lived near a green area or worked with greenery. This etymological link suggests that the name may have been adopted based on geographic or occupational reasons. Another plausible derivation is from the Polish word "siedliszcze," meaning "settlement" or "habitation," which could imply a connection to a particular place or type of dwelling.

The surname first appeared in historical records in Poland in the late 16th century. One notable instance is from 1592 when a Jew named Moishe Zeldin was listed as a resident of Krakow. In Ukraine, the name can be traced back to the late 17th century, with references to Zelig Zeldin, a merchant in Kiev. These early mentions suggest the name was well established in these regions by that time.

Throughout history, various individuals have carried the surname Zeldin, contributing to its legacy. A distinguished figure is Abraham Zeldin (1750-1820), a rabbi and scholar from Lviv. He was known for his interpretations of Jewish law and contributed significantly to the local Jewish community. Another early mention includes Rachel Zeldin, an influential midwife in 19th-century Warsaw, whose practice was widely respected.

Moving to the 20th century, we encounter Leon Zeldin (1922-2002), a prominent Argentine journalist and editor who made significant contributions to Argentine literature and politics. He was known for his extensive work in Jewish cultural preservation in South America. Additionally, Theodore Zeldin (b. 1933), a British historian and author, gained international fame for his works on French history and his explorations of human relationships and emotions.

The surname Zeldin, therefore, carries a rich history that spans several centuries and geographical regions. It reflects a blend of occupational, geographic, and cultural influences, bearing witness to the diverse experiences of the Ashkenazi Jewish diaspora. Despite its relatively specific origins, the name has become a marker of significant historical figures and cultural contributions across various fields and locales.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zeldin

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Zeldin.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Zeldin was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Zeldin has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

The history and meaning of the name Zeldin was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Zeldin, please contact us.

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